Bangladesh took complete control of the match © AFP
South Africa were cleaned out for 248 against Bangladesh on Day One of the first Test at Chittagong. Bangladesh needed to survive just two overs in the day, which they did without losing a wicket. Mustafizur Rahman took three wickets in four balls to rip the heart out of the South African innings before Temba Bavuma scored his maiden Test half-century to lend some respectability to the total. However, it was still not enough to save South Africa some serious blushes, as the Bangladeshi bowlers put in an excellent all-round bowling display to restrict the Proteas’ progress. Hashim Amla was the first victim of Mustafizur’s charge. He edged behind to Litton Das for 13. JP Duminy was then pegged on the back foot, and dismissed LBW for a first-ball duck. Quinton de Kock then kept the hat-trick ball out, but was bowled off the very next ball. LIVE SCORECARD: Bangladesh vs South Africa, 1st Test at Chittagong, Day 1
Vernon Philander then joined Bavuma, and the duo steadied the ship somewhat with a 37-run alliance. Philander was the aggressor, scoring 24 off 36 before edging Jubair Hossain to Shakib at slip. Simon Harmer defended away, but was undone when his full-blooded pull found itself in the hands of the man at short leg. It was as surprising for the fielder as it was for Harmer himself. Jubair was the lucky bowler. Dale Steyn then suffered a brain-freeze, trying to slog off only his second ball and only succeeding in holing out to mid off. Morne Morkel managed to stay not out in the end, as Bavuma was the last man to fall, trying to slog Mustafizur and holing out to Jubair. LIVE UPDATES: Bangladesh vs South Africa, 1st Test at Chittagong, Day 1
Earlier, South Africa lost the initiative in the post-lunch session as Bangladesh clawed their way back to leave the visitors in trouble at 165 for 3 by tea on Day One of the first Test at Chittagong. Both the unbeaten batsmen at lunch, Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar were dismissed by each of Bangladesh’s left-arm spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam. Hashim Amla (9*) and Temba Bavuma (20*) were the two unbeaten men at tea. The hosts started well after lunch, with Jubair Hossain and Mohammad Shahid starting off with back-to-back maidens. Shahid continued, bowling as many as six maidens on the trot (on either side of lunch) to end with figures of 12-8-19-0 by the end of the second session. Mustafizur Rahman had his moments as well, but could not quite match up with the sheer metronome-like Shahid.
Shakib, Taijul, and Jubair bowled well after lunch as well, but it was a surprising change in South Africa’s approach that cost them. After scoring 104 for the loss of one wicket in the first session, they could only manage 61 runs in 29 overs for the loss of two wickets after lunch. Amla and Bevuma did not inspire huge confidence either; Amla left at a few that past quite close to the stumps, while Bevuma looked restless. It did not help that Elgar and du Plessis were dismissed in successive overs. Elgar was the first to go, edging Taijul behind to Litton Das. It was a nothing shot to a wide ball, and Elgar ought to be disappointed in himself. The very next over saw the back of du Plessis, getting stuck on the back foot against a typical Shakib zooter. READ: What happened to the left-arm spinner?
South Africa got off to a good start against Bangladesh, going to lunch well in control at 104 for 1. Stiaan van Zyl and Dean Elgar started well for the visitors, putting on an attractive 58 for the opening wicket. The young Van Zyl, playing in only his third Test, started in confident fashion, hitting as many as six boundaries in his 34 before unluckily feathering an edge down the leg side off Mahmudullah which was caught by Litton Das. Between Elgar and du Plessis, South Africa ensured they ended the first session firmly in control.
South Africa showed their intent from the very first over, with the young van Zyl hitting Mohammad Shahid for two boundaries to get away. Debutant Mustafizur Rahman bowled well but lacked the penetration he showed in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against India. Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, and Taijul Islam were all given a bowl, but none of them managed to tie down the batsmen. Both Elgar and du Plessis used their feet well against the spinners, and ensured that no Bangladesh bowler was able to dominate proceedings. Even the wicket that Mahmudullah took was more due to van Zyl’s poor luck. Elgar remained unbeaten on 30 off 61 with two boundaries, while du Plessis was 33 not out off 58 balls with five fours. READ: Mustafizur Rahman takes 3 wickets in 4 balls
Bangladesh handed left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman a Test debut after his impressive start in ODI as he claimed 18 wickets in his first six matches. Mustafizur joined pacer Mohammad Shahid, left-arm spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam and leg-spinner Jubair Hossain in a five-pronged attack for the home side. South Africa left out four uncapped players Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Reeza Hendricks and Dane Vilas. The second and final Test of the series will be held in Dhaka from July 30 to August 3. (With inputs from AFP) Complete coverage: South Africa tour of Bangladesh 2015
Brief scores:
South Africa 248 (Dean Elgar 47, Faf du Plessis 48, Temba Bavuma 54; Mustafizur Rahman 4 for 37, Jubair Hoassain 3 for 53) vs Bangladesh.
(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek who loves cricket more than cricketers. His Twitter handle is @ShiamakUnwalla)